Frame back and easel assembly

ABSTRACT

A novel picture frame back and easel combination comprising a flat back having three erectable cutouts linearly arranged in combination with an easel support. The combination comprises a back, a pair of erectable parallel spaced tabs each with a slit on their base and a finger also erectable in line with the tabs, parallel thereto and having a slit at the tip. An easel is combined with the back and comprises a leg having a flat elbow shaped joint, the joint having a flat surface approximating the distance between the tabs, and an upper rounded extension with a hook end, and a lower quadrant which are inserted into the tab slots.

Unite States atent 1 [111 3,734,446

Crosson 1 May 22, 1973 54 FRAME BACK AND EASEL ASSEMBLY 2,072,167 3 1937Graham ..40 152.1

1' 'tt b h P [75] Inventor wll lam J Crosson Pl S urg a PrimaryExaminer-William H. Schultz [73] Assigneez Cities Service Company, NewYork, Attorney-J. Richard Geaman N.Y. 22 Filed: Sept. 3, 1971 [57]ABSTRACT 1 pp 177 768 A novel picture frame back and easel combinationcomprising a flat back having three erectable cutouts linearly arrangedin combination with an easel sup- 52 US. Cl ..248/460 Port. Thecombination comprises a back, a P of 51 rm. (:1. ..E47b 97/04 erectableParallel Spaced tabs each with a Slit on their [58] Field of Search..248/441, 456, 460; base and a finger also efectable in line with thetabs 25 H parallel thCl'CtO and having a Slit at the AI] easel 1Scombined with the back and comprises a leg having a flat elbow shapedjoint, the joint having a flat surface [56] References cuedapproximating the distance between the tabs, and an UNITED STATESPATENTS upper rounded extension with a hook end, and a lower quadrantwhich are inserted into the tab slots. 1,177,233 3/1916 Cutter .248/4601,603,622 10/1926 Marsh ..40/l24.l 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures so a2 a4mafi rs 32 FRAME BACK AND EASEL ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to an article of manufacture, namely an easel,frame back combination. More particularly this invention relates to anovel and improved combination easel and picture frame back. Stand uppicture frames are made in innumerable configurations. One common framehas a leg pivotably attached to it, which is inclined away from theframe and is held in place by a string or other connection. These framesrequire care in setting up since the leg may fold up against the frameduring handling. Other common easel and frame combinations utilize apunched out triangularly shaped leg attached to the frame vertically.Again the leg may fold back into the frame and make it difficult to setup. These two frames also lack adaptability to either use in more thanone axis of the two dimensional frames.

Accordingly I have invented a novel frame back and easel combinationwhich provides continuous support.

Another object of my invention is to provide a frame back and easelcombination capable of erection in two planes.

Other objects and advantages of the article of manufacture according tothis invention will be apparent from the description of the drawings andpreferred embodiment which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I have invented a frame back and easelcombination comprising a flat back having an upright tab with a verticalslot located therein and an easel having a leg with a flat surface and asemi-circular projection attached along one-half of its base to the leg,the projection base extending away from the flat end and adapted to beinserted through the slot in the tab until the easel flat end abuts theback. Preferably a second tab is pivotably attached to the back at aspaced distance approximately equal to the flat end of the leg and has abase parallel to the first tab with an upright slot therein. The leg hasa quadrant mounted on the leg with one of its flat sides in line withthe leg flat end. The quadrant is insertable in the slot in thepivotable tab to provide added rigidity. In addition an upright fingeris mounted on the frame in line with the two top tabs and has a slit atits tip cooperating with an indentation in the leg to provide addedlateral stability in the easel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 of the drawings shows the backof a frame before being combined with the easel; and

FIG. 2 is a side view of the back and easel when as sembled in erectcondition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The frame back and easelcombination of this invention is pictured in assembled condition in FIG.2 of the drawings, however a better understanding of the construction ofthe article is provided by FIG. 1 showing the back of a conventionalpicture frame back 12. The frame back 12 is insertable in theconventional manner into a picture frame and as such neither the pictureframe, nor its glass facing are shown or described herein. The back is aflat board made of a suitable material, conventionally cardboard, orrather a heavy paperboard, although other materials such as plastic ormetal may be employed if desired.

As drawn the back is rectangular in shape and has two parallel longsides 14 and 16, shown vertically positioned, and two parallel shortsides 17 and 18. According to the present invention a number of tabs,fingers, slots and other shapes are diecut in the back to provide thearticle of this invention. For purposes of erecting the back and easelalong its long side an upper tab 20 is die cut at a point along thecenterline of the upper portion of the back towards side 16. The tab 20is cut along 3 sides so as to form a base 22 connecting with the back.The base 22 is creased so as to be easily bendable. The tab may be cutin any suitable manner but as is shown has two straight sides 24parallel to the centerline and a rounded top side 26. A slot 28 ispunched out of the tab along its coincident centerline and extends fromthe base to the point some distance below the top of the tab. The lengthand width of the slot are dependent upon the dimensions of matingelements on the easel, as well as the need to provide sufficientstrength to the tab between the slot and the tab sides.

A second lower tab 30 is positioned a predetermined distance below theupper tab 20, the distance being measured between the bases of the tabs.The lower tab as shown is of substantially the same configuration as theupper tab, and positioned with its axis of symmetry in the same axis asthe upper tab. The lower tab has three diecut sides, two straight sides32 being cut parallel, a rounded top side 34 and a base 36 creased inthe conventional manner. The base 36 of the lower tab is necessarily theclosest side of the lower tab to the upper tab. Similarly a slot 38 ispunched through the'lower tab in the same manner as for the upper tab.Another cutout which functions in combination with the abovementionedtabs is herein denominated a finger 40 and is a diecut figure alsosymmetrical about the centerline of the back. The finger 40 ispositioned below the lower tab 30 and is similar in width to the tabs,having a crease base 41 parallel to the tab bases and three diecutsides. The three diecut sides are 2 long parallel sides 42, each sidejoined to opposite ends of the base 41, and a rounded tip 43 joined ateach end of its arc to the other end of each parallel side. The longsides are about 3 times the length of the tab parallel sides and thusmake the finger much longer than the tabs. A slit 44 is punched into theend of the finger tip 43. The two tabs and the finger act in cooperationwith an easel 40 shown in FIG. 2 to form the frame back and easelassembly according to this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings which shows a side view of theframe back 12 assembled with the easel 45, the tabs and finger are shownin erected and assembled condition. The easel is a substantially flatunitary structure, functionally formed from an elongated leg portion 46and a joint 47 which cooperates with the back 12. Thus the leg portion46 is tie shaped, having two slightly diverging sides 48 and 49connected at an acute angle with the joint and at its bottom convergingin two smaller sides 51 and 52 to a rounded apex. The smaller convergingside 51 nearest the joint and back is adapted to rest on a smoothsurface and thus provide the foot portion of the easel. Its adjacentdiverging leg side 48 which is also nearest the back when in assembledcondition has a notch 54 located on its edge together with a nodal 56 atthe notches lower side. The notch 54 is adapted to retain the finger tipwhen the finger slit and the leg are pushed together. The nodal acts toretain the finger tip once assembly is made.

The joint 47 has a flat face 60 at its top end which is I adapted to beassembled in abutting relationship with the back 12. The flat face isangularly inclined to the main axis of the leg portion 46, and as shownforms an angle of about 45 therewith. The flat face is approximately thedistance between the bases of the lower and upper tabs. At the bottom ofthe joint adjoining the fiat face is an extension herein denominated asa quadrant 62. The upper side 64 of the quadrant is merely an extensionof the joint at its flat side, and the other straight side 66 extends ina straight line down from the flat face. An are 68 connects the twosides and the joint extends away from the arc in a straight line 70 tothe side of the leg. The line 70 is longer than the distance between theslot and the top side of the lower tab. The lower tab in assembly ispivoted while the quadrant is being inserted through the lower tab slotuntil the tab reaches the upper end of the quadrant.

Along the upper side of the joint 47 a semi-circular projection 72 isunitarily formed with its circumference joining one end of the flatface. The base of the semicircular projection is substantiallyperpendicular to the flat face. A semi-circular cutout 74 is formed soas to undercut the other end of the semi-circular projection base, theradius of the undercut cutout 74 being greater than the distance betweenthe upper tab slot and top side. Similarly that part of the projectionbase which is not undercut is smaller than the length of the upper tabslot. In assembly the upper tab is lifted perpendicular to the backposition, and the semi-circular projection inserted through the uppertab slot from the bottom side of the back by pivoting the easel towardsthe back about the center of the projection until the fiat face abutsthe back. The lower tab is then pivoted through the arc of the quadrantas the quadrant is inserted through its slot. As an added supportmeasure the finger is then pivoted away from the back and the finger tipmated with the leg at its notched side, with the nodal aiding inretention of the finger.

The back 12 is provided with a second set of tab and finger cutoutsarranged along the horizontal axis, so as to provide for assembly of theback and easel along the short axis of the back. Thus a horizontal uppertab 80 similar in form and function to upper tab 20 is also diecut inthe back. A horizontal lower tab 82 positioned in reference tohorizontal upper tab 80 as lower tab 30 is to upper tab 20 andsubstantially similar thereto is also diecut in the back. Finally ahorizontal finger 84 located in similar relationship to the horizontaltabs as finger 40 is positioned in similar relationship to thehorizontal tabs. Finally it should be pointed out that while the diecuttabs and fingers are shown along the two centerlines of the back, thisneed not be the case if it is desired to offset the easel.

Having fully described my invention and wishing to cover thosemodifications and variations which would be apparent to those skilled inthe art, without departing from either the scope or spirit thereof, 1claim:

l. A frame back and easel assembly comprising an easel having a firstend and a second end, a first tab hingedly mounted on said back andincluding a first slot, a semicircular projection having a base and adiameter longer than said first slot and integrally bound to said firstend of said easel having a downwardly extending flat side having a topend contiguous to the circumference of said projection, said first endof said easel including an arcuate undercut terminating in proximity tothe approximate center of said base at a distance from said top endapproximately equal to the length of said first slot so that when saidprojection is inserted through said first slot and said flat side ofsaid easel end is pivotally moved downward towards said back untilabutting therewith, said tab laterally extends from said back and saidprojection securely joins said back to said easel, a second tab hingedlymounted on said back below said first tab, said second tab having asecond slot substantially similar to said first slot of said first tab,a quadrant member mounted on said first end of said easel, one side ofsaid quadrant member being unitarily attached to said first end of saideasel, a second side of said quadrant member extending downwardly fromsaid flat end of said first end of said easel, said quadrant memberthereby being insertable through said second tab slot after said firsttab and said projection are joined whereby said easel is locked to saidback and said second end of said easel projects downwardly at an acuteangle away from said first easel end and supports said frame back in asubstantially upright position.

2. The assembly according to claim 1 which additionally comprises afinger mounted on said back below said second tab, said finger having aslit at the tip, said second end having a notch opposite the back intowhich said slit is insertable, and a nodal on said second end below saidnotch acting to retain said finger when said slit is inserted into saidnotch.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said first and second tabs and saidfinger are located along the centerline of said back.

4. The frame back and easel assembly of claim 1 additionally including athird tab hingedly mounted on said back parallel to said center line ofsaid back and including a third slot substantially similar to said firstslot of said first tab, a fourth tab hingedly mounted on said backparallel to and in proximity to said center line and including a fourthslot substantially similar to said second slot of second tab, and asecond finger hingedly mounted parallel to said center line including asecond slit at the tip; said third tab, said fourth tab and said secondfinger being located on a line perpendicular to said center line.

5. The assembly according to claim 4 wherein said easel is mountedwithin said third tab and said fourth tabs similarly to said first taband said second tab.

6. The assembly according to claim 5 wherein said second finger isretained by said easel similarly to said first finger.

1. A frame back and easel assembly comprising an easel having a firstend and a second end, a first tab hingedly mounted on said back andincluding a first slot, a semi-circular projection having a base and adiameter longer than said first slot and integrally bound to said firstend of said easel having a downwardly extending flat side having a topend contiguous to the circumference of said projection, said first endof said easel including an arcuate undercut terminating in proximity tothe approximate center of said base at a distance from said top endapproximately equal to the length of said first slot so that when saidprojection is inserted through said first slot and said flat side ofsaid easel end is pivotally moved downward towards said back untilabutting therewith, said tab laterally extends from said bacK and saidprojection securely joins said back to said easel, a second tab hingedlymounted on said back below said first tab, said second tab having asecond slot substantially similar to said first slot of said first tab,a quadrant member mounted on said first end of said easel, one side ofsaid quadrant member being unitarily attached to said first end of saideasel, a second side of said quadrant member extending downwardly fromsaid flat end of said first end of said easel, said quadrant memberthereby being insertable through said second tab slot after said firsttab and said projection are joined whereby said easel is locked to saidback and said second end of said easel projects downwardly at an acuteangle away from said first easel end and supports said frame back in asubstantially upright position.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1which additionally comprises a finger mounted on said back below saidsecond tab, said finger having a slit at the tip, said second end havinga notch opposite the back into which said slit is insertable, and anodal on said second end below said notch acting to retain said fingerwhen said slit is inserted into said notch.
 3. The assembly of claim 2wherein said first and second tabs and said finger are located along thecenterline of said back.
 4. The frame back and easel assembly of claim 1additionally including a third tab hingedly mounted on said backparallel to said center line of said back and including a third slotsubstantially similar to said first slot of said first tab, a fourth tabhingedly mounted on said back parallel to and in proximity to saidcenter line and including a fourth slot substantially similar to saidsecond slot of second tab, and a second finger hingedly mounted parallelto said center line including a second slit at the tip; said third tab,said fourth tab and said second finger being located on a lineperpendicular to said center line.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4wherein said easel is mounted within said third tab and said fourth tabssimilarly to said first tab and said second tab.
 6. The assemblyaccording to claim 5 wherein said second finger is retained by saideasel similarly to said first finger.